Lesson 9: Search Equipment

This lesson outlines specialized AvSAR search equipment available to responders. All responders need to understand what situations may require the use of specialized equipment, whether that equipment is available to their organization, and how to use it.

RECCO

This two-part technology operates on the frequency-doubling principle and is now embedded into many outdoor clothing pieces. The RECCO reflector bounces the directional radar signal back to the searcher and doubles the frequency, allowing the operator of the RECCO detector to hear where the burial is located. This enables rapid pinpointing and leads searchers on a direct path to the burial.

Due to the unpredictable orientation of subjects in avalanche burials, reflectors are most effective when worn on a helmet or in pairs (pants and jacket, or left and right boot). The RECCO signal also reflects off electronic devices (transceiver, camera, mobile phone, VHF Radio, Automobile) but the effective range is usually shorter than when searching for RECCO reflectors. Electronic devices do not need to be turned off in order to locate a RECCO reflector.

RECCO is beneficial in all situations where the use of transceivers is unknown. It can be used to reduce rescuers by minimizing the number or searchers on the avalanche debris, and can also be used to search from a helicopter.

Avalanche Dogs

Dogs are trained to locate buried subjects who are not wearing a functioning avalanche transceiver. They are trained to seek the scent of a buried person while disregarding other smells and distractions as much as possible. Fully trained dogs can distinguish between buried human scent and the scent of human activity on the surface of the avalanche.

Dog teams also dramatically reduce the time to locate buried subjects compared to other search methods. They tend to be the safe option for searching, because they reduce the number of rescuers exposed to hazards, and can be a backup to rescuers if subsequent avalanches overrun the incident site. It is important to immediately dispatch at least one search dog team to any avalanche rescue call-out to avoid possible later delays due to weather, transportation, or proximity to incident size.

AvSAR Dog Team Operations. Specific steps are taken before and during AvSAR response to maximize dog team effectiveness.

  1. Dispatching: Each responding avalanche rescue agency must be able to rapidly dispatch avalanche search dog teams in its area. Dog teams should be dispatched immediately to all avalanches unless there is an overriding reason not to. Be prepared to dispatch multiple dog teams to large avalanches if required, and to relieve teams that have been on scene for a complete operational period.
  2. Transport: Search dog teams are top priority for transportation to an avalanche rescue operation. Validated avalanche rescue dog teams are trained for transport by ski, helicopter, snowcat, snowmobile, chairlift, and boat. Use of mechanized transportation to access the site is important to conserve the dog team’s energy for searching.
  3. Deployment at incident site: A fully trained dog handler knows his dog’s capabilities. Consult with the dog handler when deciding exactly how to deploy them. Trained dogs can usually tolerate some level of distraction; ask the handler for input.
  4. Searching: Assign the area for the dog team to search, and remove as many other searchers as possible from that area. Dog teams are usually assigned to the highest probability area for the greatest chance of recovery. Dog teams often search best into the wind. Initially, the handler may allow the dog to quickly range over the assigned area to see if ay strong scent is detected that could lead to a fast recovery. If not, the handler conducts a more systematic, controlled search by directing the dog’s coverage, mainly using hand and voice signals.
  5. Indications: The handler marks dog indications with a labelled blue wand. Found subject locations are marked with three crossed wands of any colour. The handler probes areas that are indicated by the dog. A probe/shovel team is assigned to each dog team; that team immediately begins digging when an indication is made by the dog. This permits the dog team to continue with the search.

In AvSAR training exercises, the handler encourages the dog to have first contact with a buried subject. This provides positive validation and rewards the work of the dog and handler. However, in a real AvSAR response, first contact by the dog could result in injury to the subject; instead, the handler restraints the dog and redirects it to continue the search for other missing people.

Contaminations and Distractions. Avoid contaminating the search area with any unnecessary scents, specifically, spit, urine, fuel, or food. Whenever possible, mark indications with wands and remove surface clues that could distract the dogs. If possible, record the location of all clues prior to removing them from the site. Also try to limit the number of personnel and equipment immediately upwind of the dog teams.

Socializing with the Dog. Dog handlers appreciate when all other personnel at the site behave as if the dog is not there. DO NOT PET THE DOG. This is the most professional way for responders to support the dog team.

Special Considerations. Dog handlers sometimes use the occasion of body recovery to permit their dog to experience the scent of a dead body. This attraction to the scent can reduce search time and rescue exposure time in future responses.

If approved by the coroner/medical examiner, the fatality is removed from the avalanche site as soon as possible to avoid undue distraction for the dogs during continued searchers. When a body is removed, the site should be probed to rule out the possibility of a stacked burial, and marked with three crossed wands. The wands inform the dog handler of the exact location of solved burials.

Helicopter Transceiver

Large long-range single-antenna transceivers with low noise levels and a range of up to 180 meters have been developed to hang below helicopters. These systems are beneficial when searching large areas, multiple areas, incidents with multiple burials, or situations where it is too risky to expose searchers to the terrain.

Magnetometer

Magnetometers are used to detect the magnetic field around metol objects and may be beneficial in certain situations involving vehicles. They are most commonly used in highway operations.

Other Equipment

  • Wood Saw / Chainsaw. Woody debris may hinder digging and probing. Avalanche professionals should carry a hand saw that can be used for wood and snow. Chainsaws should be available if needed.
  • Steel Shovels. Steel tools are much stronger than aluminium ones and very useful for longer organized AvSAR responses. A medium-sized shovel blade with a D-Handle is best.
  • Heavy Equipment. It may be necessary to move large amounts of snow. Consider the location and availability of heavy equipment such as groomers, loaders, and bulldozers.
  • Cell Phones. Cell phone signals can be triangulated to help rescuers determine the subject’s location, or last-known location.